Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(103): “Sharia Ruling on Investing the Waqf Funds“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(103) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

 "Sharia Ruling on Investing the Waqf Funds"

Date: 5/4/1427 AH, corresponding to 3/5/2006.

 

Question:

 

Awqaf Funds Development Foundation has the amount of (1.700.000) JDs as Waqf revenues of past years, and  wishes to make it a monetary Waqf to be invested and its revenues to be spent for charity. What is the ruling of Sharia in this regard?

Answer:

After extensive researching and deliberation, the Board decided that since the above sum is the yield of past years,  it is difficult to know the terms which were set by its Waqifeen (endowers) in order to spend it  accordingly, as Sharia obligates in such case. The religious interest dictates non-freezing of such funds because the terms of their endowers aren`t known; therefore, it is permissible to regard them as a monetary Waqf (endowment) to be developed and invested by the above Foundation in all that is lawful. This in order for the yield to be spent in different charitable channels, provided that the terms set by the endowers are met as much as possible since the condition of the endower is tantamount to the provisions of the Law-Giver. Moreover, since the above Foundation functions as the trustee of the Waqf, then it is permissible for it to allocate a certain amount from these returns to cover the expenses and wages of its employees, but within reasonable limits along with maintaining the original capital.

This is based on the following Hadith :"Concerning the Waqf of 'Umar: It was not sinful of the trustee (of the Waqf) to eat or provide his friends from it, provided the trustee had no intention of collecting fortune (for himself). Ibn 'Umar was the manager of the trust of 'Umar and he used to give presents from it to those with whom he used to stay at Mecca." {Bukhari}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr. AbdulMajeed Al-Salaheen

Dr. Abdukareem Al-Khasawneh

Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi

Sheikh Nae`im Mujahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is Tarawih prayer?

Tarawih prayer is the night prayer (Qiyam) performed during the month of Ramadan. It is called "Tarawih" because Muslims used to prolong the standing (qiyam) in it and take brief rests after every four rak‘ahs.

Are school exams a valid excuse for breaking the fast in Ramadan?

School and university exams are not considered a valid excuse for breaking the fast, as most students take their exams while fasting without experiencing extreme hardship. Fasting does not conflict with exam preparation, and a Muslim seeks strength in obedience to Allah for both worldly and spiritual matters.

Does passing wind from the anus affect ritual purity?

Ablution is nullified by the passing of wind from the anus, but washing the anus is not required as wind leaves no impurity.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering a sacrifice (Udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased is permissible. This is the position of the Hanbalis [Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti (Vol.6/P.428)], and it was held by al-Abbadi of the Shafi’is [Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah (Vol.4/P.358)]; it is also narrated from some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
Abu Dawud included a chapter in his Sunan titled "Chapter: Offering the Sacrifice on Behalf of the Deceased," in which he narrated from Hanash, who said: "I saw Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sacrificing two rams. I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined me to sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah; in the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," then he slaughtered it. It is well known that among the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are those who have passed away, yet he (peace be upon him) dedicated it to his entire Ummah.
 
Furthermore, multiple Sharia texts have consistently indicated that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. This includes the permissibility of fasting on behalf of the deceased if they died owing fasts, as well as the permissibility of performing Hajj on their behalf, both of which are established in authentic Hadiths. Since the rewards for fasting—a physical act of worship—and Hajj—a physical and financial act of worship—reach the deceased, then the sacrifice (Udhiyah) is even more likely to reach them.
 
Moreover, the scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charities reach the deceased, and the Udhiyah is a form of charity and falls under its general category. Based on all of this, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is permissible. And Allah the Almighty knows best.